THE BUZZ: Illinois Republicans proved they could be a big-tent party last night after announcing a leadership restructuring reminiscent of an end-of-the-season Little League ball club: everyone gets an award!

Two candidates for GOP chair were bracing for an all-out brawl this weekend — current party Chairman Tim Schneider and challenger Lake County Chairman Mark Shaw. Shaw was buoyed by conservatives angry with Gov. Bruce Rauner.

But a deal announced late Thursday instead has Schneider and Shaw sharing the chairmanship, avoiding a risky vote and a messy fight that’s already involved legal action. In his role, Shaw would lead “conservative and grassroots outreach” for the party and also have Schneider’s backing to lead the Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association.

“Many conservatives sent Governor Rauner a message in the primary. On the night of the primary, Governor Rauner said he heard them, and I heard them – loud and clear,” Shaw said in a statement (emphasis was his own). “But Republicans must focus on the issues that unite us and the election ahead of us. Conservatives in Illinois must come together to reelect Governor Rauner, or we won’t have a voice in state government for the next decade.”

“Joint Unity Effort” — Shaw was referencing what’s at stake if Republicans lose the governor’s mansion in November: loss of control over redistricting. “The joint unity effort will make our conservative voice louder and ultimately make our party stronger,” Shaw said. “I look forward to working with Tim in my new role to focus our party’s attention on the grassroots and do the important organizing work to reelect Gov. Rauner, elect more Republicans statewide, and build our party at the statewide and local level.”

There was already chatter last night about who was capitulating here. Yes, sharing the chairmanship shows Rauner’s weakness, since he has almost single-handedly funded the party. This never could have happened under Rauner two years ago. And yes, Shaw lost his chance at potentially knocking out Goliath. And it will remain to be seen how real Shaw’s role will be.

For now, what’s important is this is a much-needed move for a Republican party trying to get itself back on track. Rauner desperately needed some declaration of unity after months of high-profile post-primary sparring with his opponent Jeanne Ives and the realization Republican Sam McCann is running as a third party candidate. The governor can now move on to the next fire.

FIRST LOOK: The Quincy Veterans home scandal, where 13 people died since 2015 after contracting Legionnaire’s disease, without a doubt will play a role in the governor’s race. But because of recent revelations by WBEZ, it’s already an issue in the election for state comptroller.

An email Republican comptroller candidate Darlene Senger wrote while working for the governor is coming back to haunt her in the first digital ad for incumbent Comptroller Susana Mendoza. In that message, Senger while on a state email account proposed blaming the veterans home deaths on U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth — a veteran who lost her legs in combat. Duckworth had once headed the state’s veterans affairs department.

Here’s the video. Bonus: you can play “where’s J.B. Pritzker standing?” while viewing: Watch

A message from the Illinois Car Sharing Coalition:

SB 2641 will shut down an emerging industry, deny Illinoisans an opportunity to make money while their cars sit idle, and unfairly subject car owners to double taxation. Car sharing is not car rental and demands separate treatment. Legislators should VOTE NO on the SB 2641 override. www.ILCarSharing.Com

— “Report: Chicago most corrupt city in U.S.,” by ABC 7 Chicago’s Craig Wall: “A report released Tuesday ranks Chicago as the most corrupt city in the country and Illinois as the third-most corrupt state. “What we find is a very dreary picture. In nearly every sector, whether you talk about aldermen, you talk about Chicago schools, you talk about contracts, in every area corruption is still rife in the city of Chicago,” said Dick Simpson, lead author of the “Continuing Corruption in Illinois” study and a University of Illinois Chicago political science professor. The study was released by UIC’s Political Science Department.”

Hey, but we’re doing better. From the report: “Chicago continues to be the most corrupt city in the country and Illinois continues to be the third most corrupt state. During 2016, the latest year for which U.S. Department of Justice figures are available, public corruption convictions in the State of Illinois rose to 35 from 19 in 2015. However this is a significant decline from 69 such convictions in 2013 and an average of 44.8 convictions per year during the past decade. Nonetheless, public corruption remains unacceptably high in our state. Story here

As we announced earlier this month, I am taking on a new role at POLITICO. We are looking for a new author: here is the official Illinois Playbook job posting.

STATE

— “Journey to America*, *America, Illinois, that is,” by Camille Bordas for Chicago Magazine: “The plan was to travel to the southern tip of Illinois and report back. The plan was also to take our sweet time getting there, because actually the plan was not so much to see the bottom of Illinois as to travel as much of Illinois as possible in a week, zigzagging across the state on our way south from Chicago, sticking to back roads and small towns, avoiding interstates and chain hotels, hitting random roadside attractions. A road trip. A highly subjective State of the State. Our final stop: a tiny unincorporated community called America. The destination was arbitrary, of course, picked for its name and convenient location at the far extremity of the state, but maybe it would acquire meaning down the road—after all, Lucy (the photographer) and I (the writer) were embarking on a journey deep into the American heartland in search of all the things that make a Midwestern road trip great: pretty river towns, quaint main streets, mom-and-pop restaurants, wide-open vistas, and all manner of unexpected curiosities and finds.” Story here

— “State lawmakers trying to license Illinois gun stores again after Gov. Rauner vetoed last attempt,” by Chicago Tribune’s Monique Garcia: “A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday revived efforts to require additional state oversight of stores that sell guns, proposing new rules after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a similar bill earlier this year. Supporters says the new version is designed to crack down on problem sellers and prevent the trafficking of firearms, but opponents led by gun retailers contend it’s an attempt to push some shops to close their doors via increased licensing costs.” Story here

OBAMA

— “Editorial: What the Obama Center does — and doesn’t — owe Chicago,” by Chicago Tribune Editorial Board: “From the start we’ve urged the Obama Foundation to work with the community, rather than foist its vision on South Siders. To the foundation’s credit, they began to listen to South Siders — and revise their plans. As they seek city approval, we hope the Obama Center promoters will intensify that approach.” Story here

CHICAGO

— “New study offers 25 ideas to take on Chicago-area segregation,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Tanveer Ali: “Expanding housing voucher options, piloting new transit options and offering property tax relief to those who invest in affordable housing are just some of the ways to combat segregation in Chicago, according to a new report. The nonprofit Metropolitan Planning Council released a report Tuesday proposing 25 policy ideas aimed at addressing segregation in the Chicago area, and potentially stem trends of population loss involving Chicago’s African-American residents.” Story here

— “The Aon Center’s proposed Sky Summit attraction looks terrifying,” by TimeOut Chicago’s Zach Long: “The Aon Center's answer to the Willis Tower's Ledge and 875 North Michigan Avenue's Tilt attraction is called Sky Summit—a glass pod that lifts riders up and over the edge of the building. Sky Summit will be situated on the south edge of the Aon Center, giving up to 22 passengers views of Millennium Park—and of Randolph Street 1,136 feet directly below them. According to the Chicago Tribune, the attraction will place riders over the edge of the skyscraper for 30 to 40 seconds, and the experience will require participants to pay an additional fee on top of admission to the observation deck.” Story here

— “FOP protests Emanuel’s decision to ‘turn his back on the police,’” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman: “The Fraternal Order of Police is urging the rank-and-file police officers it represents to show up in force at the May 23 City Council meeting to underscore the union’s claim that Mayor Rahm Emanuel has ‘turned his back on the police.’ ‘Emanuel has turned his back on the police. He has put police officers and public in danger. Now, it’s time to confront him at the City Council meeting,’ the union said.” Story here

— “Hundreds protest after bloodshed in Gaza as US Embassy opens in Jerusalem,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Ashlee Rezin: “Hundreds of protesters carrying Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs took to the streets of the Loop Tuesday evening, one day after Israeli soldiers shot and killed at least 59 Palestinians during mass protests along the Gaza border as the U.S. embassy in Israel moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The protest kicked off with a rally near Grant Park, on Michigan Avenue near Congress, with participants chanting ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!’ and ‘Hey Netanyahu, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?’ The demonstrators then marched — staying largely peaceful and keeping to the sidewalks — to the Israeli Consulate at 500 W. Madison for another rally.” Story here

COOK COUNTY

— “Inspector general: Cook County hospitals lost roughly $165 million due to widespread errors,” by Chicago Tribune’s Gregory Pratt: “The Cook County Health and Hospitals System lost an estimated $165 million or more in potential revenue over the past three years due to lax clerical procedures and employee errors, records and interviews show. Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard attributed the hospitals’ losses to widespread issues in the system’s bureaucracy — from mistakes during patient scheduling and registration to billing lapses.” Story here

AROUND THE COLLARS

— “Woodfield Mall dining pavilion to open Friday,” by The Daily Herald: “Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg will open its $20 million, 820-seat dining pavilion at noon Friday, May 18. Just in time for lunch, the pavilion's first restaurants serving visitors that day will be Blaze Pizza and Maoz Falafel & Grill … More than 12 restaurants are expected when the dining pavilion is fully occupied, joining about 30 others elsewhere in the mall.” Story here

MAYOR’S RACE

— “Mayor Emanuel says challenger Paul Vallas’ plan to hire more cops lacks focus on anti-violence initiatives,” by Chicago Tribune’s John Byrne: “Mayor Rahm Emanuel hit back Tuesday at challenger Paul Vallas’ plan to hire hundreds of additional police officers, saying it won’t work because it lacks money for anti-violence, mentoring and jobs programs. A day after Vallas blamed the mayor’s policies for recent spikes in violence, Emanuel said the former Chicago Public Schools chief’s plan deals with only part of the equation that causes crime. Vallas on Monday called for growing the Police Department by about 400 officers to 14,000 and increasing the number of detectives.” Story here

MEDIA

— “ESPN and Netflix team up for a 10-hour documentary on Michael Jordan and the Bulls,” by Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal: “Michael Jordan and the 1990s Bulls are coming to Netflix for your binge-watching pleasure. Netflix and ESPN Films are collaborating on ‘The Last Dance,’ a 10-hour documentary on the simultaneous rise of Jordan and the NBA that’s scheduled to debut next year on both outlets.” Story here

NATION

— “Women sweep to victories in House primaries,” by POLITICO’s Elena Schneider and Steven Shepard: Story here

Want to make an impact? POLITICO Illinois has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Land of Lincoln. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: [jshapiro@politico.com] jshapiro@politico.com.